Priest clapping along with music at Mass??

[reff]

So I was at the 11:00 mass last Sunday(It’s one of those infamous “Guitar-folky” “Happy Clappy Masses”, ugh) and during the recessional hymn, we sang “Soon and Very Soon” and Father started clapping along with the music and yelling “Alleluia and Amen!!” and the congregation joined in clapping too. Is this against the GIRM, it kinda killed the spirit for me.

 

[Trishie]

Reff, it’s delightful to read that you are on your RCIA journey.:harp: May the Holy Spirit continue to be with you!

A little more exhuberance than we’re used to as Catholics! Although it appears to lack reverence and is not the style many of usnprefer, it is dancing as King David danced…I guess it beats the other end of the scale, the lukewarmedness that Jesus condemned. It’s a reminder that the Catholic Church is made up of so many difference kinds of people.

You may wish to ensure you go to less folksy Masses on the weekends.

God bless you, T rishie

 

[DebChris]

Reff, it’s delightful to read that you are on your RCIA journey.:harp: May the Holy Spirit continue to be with you!

A little more exhuberance than we’re used to as Catholics! Although it appears to lack reverence and is not the style many of usnprefer, it is dancing as King David danced…I guess it beats the other end of the scale, the lukewarmedness that Jesus condemned. It’s a reminder that the Catholic Church is made up of so many difference kinds of people.

You may wish to ensure you go to less folksy Masses on the weekends.

God bless you, T rishie

Dance! Dance wherever you may be. I am the Lord of the dance said He.

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

Yes, it is the recessional, so really not too out of place. I guess it’s not a preferred option for the recessional, but it has really become more common.

Remember joy is a fruit of the Spirit----many feel that we need more joy in the Catholic religion–I agree, especially in these difficult times.

Lux

 

[JPUSC]

Dance! Dance wherever you may be. I am the Lord of the dance said He.

OK, so you’re quoting a song "partly inspired by Jesus, and partly by a statue of Shiva as Nataraja. Sydney Carter wrote the lyrics “Lord Of The Dance” in 1963, as an adaptation of Joseph Brackett’s “Simple Gifts”, and a tribute to Shaker music. He later stated, “I did not think the churches would like it at all. I thought many people would find it pretty far flown, probably heretical and anyway dubiously Christian. But in fact people did sing it and, unknown to me, it touched a chord… Anyway, it’s the sort of Christianity I believe in.”

"I see Christ as the incarnation of the piper who is calling us. He dances that shape and pattern which is at the heart of our reality. By Christ I mean not only Jesus; in other times and places, other planets, there may be other Lords of the Dance. But Jesus is the one I know of first and best. I sing of the dancing pattern in the life and words of Jesus.

Whether Jesus ever leaped in Galilee to the rhythm of a pipe or drum I do not know. We are told that David danced (and as an act of worship too), so it is not impossible. The fact that many Christians have regarded dancing as a bit ungodly (in a church, at any rate) does not mean that Jesus did. The Shakers didn’t…
Green Print for Song (1974)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Carter

http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/images/gods/ShivaNatarajaEIzy30sm.jpg

They played “Soon and Very Soon” at the parish I attended last Sunday also. I think it was listed in the OCP planning guide most music directors use religiously. Not exactly a good song selection.

The priest should not have been clapping.

 

[benedictgal]

OK, so you’re quoting a song "partly inspired by Jesus, and partly by a statue of Shiva as Nataraja. Sydney Carter wrote the lyrics “Lord Of The Dance” in 1963, as an adaptation of Joseph Brackett’s “Simple Gifts”, and a tribute to Shaker music. He later stated, “I did not think the churches would like it at all. I thought many people would find it pretty far flown, probably heretical and anyway dubiously Christian. But in fact people did sing it and, unknown to me, it touched a chord… Anyway, it’s the sort of Christianity I believe in.”

"I see Christ as the incarnation of the piper who is calling us. He dances that shape and pattern which is at the heart of our reality. By Christ I mean not only Jesus; in other times and places, other planets, there may be other Lords of the Dance. But Jesus is the one I know of first and best. I sing of the dancing pattern in the life and words of Jesus.

Whether Jesus ever leaped in Galilee to the rhythm of a pipe or drum I do not know. We are told that David danced (and as an act of worship too), so it is not impossible. The fact that many Christians have regarded dancing as a bit ungodly (in a church, at any rate) does not mean that Jesus did. The Shakers didn’t…
Green Print for Song (1974)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Carter

http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/images/gods/ShivaNatarajaEIzy30sm.jpg

They played “Soon and Very Soon” at the parish I attended last Sunday also. I think it was listed in the OCP planning guide most music directors use religiously. Not exactly a good song selection.

The priest should not have been clapping.

OCP’s hymns selections, of late, are very poor. My PV tried looking for “Father, We Thank Thee Who has Planted” in the OCP song book for the Thanksgiving Mass but it was nowhere to be found. I often wonder if we should get OCP a liturgical GPS for Christmas. They have lost their sense of direction.

We used to use “The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns”, with the Morning Song tune. The song had the eschatological message and it was appropriate as a lead-in to Advent. In fact, we used it for the recessional for the First Sunday of Advent.

The clapping was, I think, poor taste. It’s almost as though we have forgotten that the Mass has solemnity, dignity and beauty. Solemnity doesn’ t mean being dour, but, doing something joyful with sobriety.

 

[Tsuwano]

So I was at the 11:00 mass last Sunday(It’s one of those infamous “Guitar-folky” “Happy Clappy Masses”, ugh) and during the recessional hymn, we sang “Soon and Very Soon” and Father started clapping along with the music and yelling “Alleluia and Amen!!” and the congregation joined in clapping too. Is this against the GIRM, it kinda killed the spirit for me.

Clapping hands during the recessional, especially at a folk mass, is not a problem. I would suggest you attend a different mass if you are uncomfortable with this type of mass. Personally, I like to see joy at mass.

 

[FrDavid96]

Clapping hands during the recessional, especially at a folk mass, is not a problem. I would suggest you attend a different mass if you are uncomfortable with this type of mass. Personally, I like to see joy at mass.

What’s a “folk mass”?

I can’t find any such thing in the Sacramentary.

 

[JPUSC]

OCP’s hymns selections, of late, are very poor. My PV tried looking for “Father, We Thank Thee Who has Planted” in the OCP song book for the Thanksgiving Mass but it was nowhere to be found. I often wonder if we should get OCP a liturgical GPS for Christmas. They have lost their sense of direction.

We used to use “The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns”, with the Morning Song tune. The song had the eschatological message and it was appropriate as a lead-in to Advent. In fact, we used it for the recessional for the First Sunday of Advent.

The clapping was, I think, poor taste. It’s almost as though we have forgotten that the Mass has solemnity, dignity and beauty. Solemnity doesn’ t mean being dour, but, doing something joyful with sobriety.

I think the Planning Guide likes to promote OCP products. Looking through the music issue, the modern songs that I thought were “musically better” compared to most of the songs were from GIA, hah.

Modern Catholic liturgical music needs to change. I see parishioners in most parishes standing idle in solemnity as rock/folk bands continue on with their broadway-style productions.

 

[benedictgal]

Clapping hands during the recessional, especially at a folk mass, is not a problem. I would suggest you attend a different mass if you are uncomfortable with this type of mass. Personally, I like to see joy at mass.

However, you don’t have to clap or do some sort of public manifestation to have joy. Clapping is problematic because it goes too much into the horizontal and it makes us the focus rather than God.

 

[benedictgal]

I think the Planning Guide likes to promote OCP products. Looking through the music issue, the modern songs that I thought were “musically better” compared to most of the songs were from GIA, hah.

Modern Catholic liturgical music needs to change. I see parishioners in most parishes standing idle in solemnity as rock/folk bands continue on with their broadway-style productions.

I think it would do well for OCP (not that they would) and those who support clapping during the performance of these songs to read this little tidbit that Francis Cardinal Arinze observed during one of his speeches:

Liturgical celebrations well carried out not only nourish the faith of practicing Catholics, but can also awaken the slumbering faith of the negligent, and attract people to the Church. A beautiful Eucharistic celebration is rich in manifestation of the Catholic faith, catechesis on this faith, communal action by the worshipping congregation, respect for Tradition and symbolism of a Church which is both universal and local. The people at Mass today know that they are praying in the faith of the Apostles, of the early Fathers of the Church, of Saint Thomas Aquinas, of Saint Teresa of Avila, of Blessed John XXIII, of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, and of the many thousands of martyrs who throughout the world have given their lives for the faith: men and women, old and young of every social class and occupation and in every age.

The sacred liturgy also makes discrete use of perceptible sense objects: vestments, liturgical designs and symbols, color, incense, water, candle, the ringing of bells and community postures and gestures.15

Sacred music deserves special mention. It has been said that he who sings once prays twice. If hymns are sung which are theologically rich and artistically recommendable, they will not be without good effects. Saint Augustine tells us how he was moved to tears when he listened to the execution of hymns, canticles and psalms under the guidance of Saint Ambrose in Milan:

How did I weep, in the hymns and canticles, touched to the quick by the voices of thy sweet-attuned Church! The voices flowed into mine ears, and the truth distilled into my heart, whence the affections of my devotion overflowed, and tears ran down, and happy was I therein.16

If the liturgy is to work out so beautifully, then the observation of norms is a requirement. Many converts have been grateful to the Mass beautifully celebrated, as an important element in their entry into the Catholic Church or their return to it.

I think this issue needs to be taken to heart.

 

[George_C]

So I was at the 11:00 mass last Sunday(It’s one of those infamous “Guitar-folky” “Happy Clappy Masses”, ugh) and during the recessional hymn, we sang “Soon and Very Soon” and Father started clapping along with the music and yelling “Alleluia and Amen!!” and the congregation joined in clapping too. Is this against the GIRM, it kinda killed the spirit for me.

I’m in RCIA, too, Reff.

I’m a bass guitarist and I’m not overly fond of “rock Mass” either. Most often there’s a lady at the piano and a lady playing acoustic guitar. One time there was a guy playing bass. I felt like grabbing it and showing him something. I don’t think my style would go over too well in a solemn setting though.

However, seeing as I’m not confirmed, I’ll just keep my mouth shut. However, once that’s done, I’m going to try to attend a Latin Mass up in Dayton just to see what it’s like.

 

[Chris_LaRock]

So I was at the 11:00 mass last Sunday(It’s one of those infamous “Guitar-folky” “Happy Clappy Masses”, ugh) and during the recessional hymn, we sang “Soon and Very Soon” and Father started clapping along with the music and yelling “Alleluia and Amen!!” and the congregation joined in clapping too. Is this against the GIRM, it kinda killed the spirit for me.

Well, I don’t know. Should worship services and sacrements be dreary and momotone in order to convey reverence?

 

[JPUSC]

Well, I don’t know. Should worship services and sacrements be dreary and momotone in order to convey reverence?

The Mass is the Sacrifice of Calvary, so this particular form of worship should convey that sentiment. Folk/rock music is not conducive in bringing that fact to light in a typical North American setting.

More joyous expressions within the Mass can be appropriate if it is an integral part of a group’s culture and it heightens the reality that God is present in the Eucharist.

Outside of the Mass, people can sing praise and worship songs in prayer groups if they want. Some Evangelicals I know view music and testimonies as worship and many Catholic prayer groups do the same, but the Catholic Mass is a liturgical form of worship that calls for a different atmosphere.

This video conveys the diversity of practices in the Church: youtube.com/watch?v=Vs6qZd_xP1w

The video has depictions of an outdoor Mass and Baptism as well as religious celebrations outside of the Mass that make up our Catholic culture. There is a time and place for everything. One can attend a lively Catholic prayer celebration AND a solemn Mass where the Crucified Christ is truly present in the Eucharist.

 

[brianmichael]

OK, so you’re quoting a song "partly inspired by Jesus, and partly by a statue of Shiva as Nataraja. Sydney Carter wrote the lyrics “Lord Of The Dance” in 1963, as an adaptation of Joseph Brackett’s “Simple Gifts”, and a tribute to Shaker music. He later stated, “I did not think the churches would like it at all. I thought many people would find it pretty far flown, probably heretical and anyway dubiously Christian. But in fact people did sing it and, unknown to me, it touched a chord… Anyway, it’s the sort of Christianity I believe in.”
.

LMAF!!!

 

[Phemie]

The clapping was, I think, poor taste. It’s almost as though we have forgotten that the Mass has solemnity, dignity and beauty. Solemnity doesn’ t mean being dour, but, doing something joyful with sobriety.

While what the OP described is not to my personal taste, it should be noted that the Recessional is not part of the Mass. We’ve already been dismissed and Mass is over at that point.

 

[Dicerning]

So I was at the 11:00 mass last Sunday(It’s one of those infamous “Guitar-folky” “Happy Clappy Masses”, ugh) and during the recessional hymn, we sang “Soon and Very Soon” and Father started clapping along with the music and yelling “Alleluia and Amen!!” and the congregation joined in clapping too. Is this against the GIRM, it kinda killed the spirit for me.

The recessional is not part of the Mass therefore it cannot be “against the GIRM”

 

[Dauphin]

While what the OP described is not to my personal taste, it should be noted that the Recessional is not part of the Mass. We’ve already been dismissed and Mass is over at that point.

And I suppose if the priest had done cartwheels down the nave after a “Circus Mass”, that would have been ok?

When will the liturgical insanity end? Let the Mass be the Mass again, according to the tradition we inherited; shun absurd, self-centred innovations.

 

[DebChris]

We are a Resurrection People. When we really consider what we have received, it is impossible to remain dour.
As was mentioned as this thread began, David danced before the Ark of the Covenant without regard for his personal dignity, for his personal position as king. Scripture says to give the Lord “a sacrifice of praise.”
Even in the most exuberant Masses that I have attended, there have been moments of deep solemnity. Indeed, the more exuberant the celebration, the deeper the solemnity when sensing the very real presence of God. We celebrate the Resurrection even as we acknowledge the cost. We give thanks for this incredible gift.
There have been times sitting before the Blessed Sacrament, a time when silence is the only appropriate response, that it has taken all my strength to not shout out with joy.
The song to which I wake every morning is I Can Only Imagine. What will our reaction be when we are finally in heaven? We have a mere glimpse of this reality within the Eucharistic Celebration. The Eucharist is “an action of thansgiving to God.” We celebrate God’s works of creation, redemption, and sanctification (CCC1328)
CCC1327 Finally, by the Eucharistic celebration we already unite ourselves with the heavenly liturgy and anticipate eternal life, when God will be all in all.

 

[JPUSC]

I am convinced that the crisis in the Church that we are experiencing today is to a large extent due to the disintegration of the liturgy, which at times has even come to be conceived of etsi Deus non daretur: in that it is a matter of indifference whether or not God exists and whether or not He speaks to us and hears us. But when the community of faith, the world-wide unity of the Church and her history, and the mystery of the living Christ are no longer visible in the liturgy, where else, then, is the Church to become visible in her spiritual essence? Then the community is celebrating only itself, an activity that is utterly fruitless. And, because the ecclesial community cannot have its origin from itself but emerges as a unity only from the Lord, through faith, such circumstances will inexorably result in a disintegration into sectarian parties of all kinds - partisan opposition within a Church tearing herself apart. This is why we need a new Liturgical Movement, which will call to life the real heritage of the Second Vatican Council. Milestones: Memoirs 1927-1977 (SF, CA: Ignatius), p. 149.

Pope Benedict XVI

ceciliaschola.org/notes/benedictonmusic.html